Overview
- In a Northern Perspective interview, Pierre Poilievre called RCMP leadership “despicable,” said scandals from the Trudeau era “should have involved jail time,” and argued Trudeau “probably” violated the Criminal Code in the SNC‑Lavalin affair and over the 2016 Aga Khan vacation.
- Reporting notes Poilievre offered no proof of a cover-up, while his spokesperson argued RCMP leaders accepted withheld witnesses in the SNC‑Lavalin matter and declined to pursue charges related to the Aga Khan trip.
- RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said there was no political interference, stressed he does not take orders from politicians, and invited Poilievre to meet with the force.
- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree called the comments “deeply irresponsible,” asserting Canadians can trust the RCMP’s independence from political direction.
- Conservative-aligned figures including Dimitri Soudas and Kory Teneycke criticized Poilievre’s remarks as reckless or a misstep, with analysts linking his posture to efforts to rally support ahead of a leadership review in January.